Shropshire dancer AJ scores a super Strictly start
He's out of Strictly Come Dancing, but AJ Pritchard has made a big impression.
The dancer was knocked out of the semi-final of the show with his partner, Olympic gymnast Claudia Fragapane.
But he has impressed with his performance at the tender age of 22 and in his first season of Strictly. AJ, short for Alex Joseph, learned to dance at his parents' dance school, Pritchard's Dance and Fitness Academy in Burleydam, near Whitchurch. He was coached by his father Adrian.
He met his professional dance partner Chloe Hewitt, 21, at the academy and together they appeared on ITV's Britain's Got Talent in 2013, where they made the semi-finals.
Both AJ and Chloe were offered places on Strictly earlier this year, making him the youngest male professional. Chloe has taken part in set-piece routines on the show.
AJ, who now lives near Nantwich, said: "It's has been fantastic. I have loved every single second of it.
"I'm just so proud of Claudia – so proud of how far she has come and just how confident she has been."
"I just want to say thank you to eveyone who has voted for us for all the support we've been given. I hope we have done you proud. I'm also hoping me being on Strictly will encourage young people to get dancing."
He added: "The show has completely changed people's perceptions of ballroom dancing."
Claudia is now preparing to get back into training for the British gymnastics squad, which is based in Lilleshall.
She said: "I can't believe I made it this far to be honest. Everyone is so lovely and I'm just so happy that I've made it this far and everyone has just been incredible. I feel like a different person now, all thanks to this show.
"AJ has been absolutely amazing. He really has pushed me to the best of my ability. He has been so lovely to me and really boosted my confidence."
Claudia and AJ opted to perform their quickstep to When You're Smiling by Andy Williams in the dance-off on Sunday, and Danny Mac and his partner Oti Mabuse chose to repeat their American smooth to Misty Blue by Dorothy Moore.
The judges unanimously opted to save Danny.
